all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While this verse mentions Og's kingdom being defeated, it subtly highlights that Og himself was "left of the remnant of the Rephaim" – implying he was one of the very last of this ancient, formidable race. This detail emphasizes the sheer scale of the victory, not just over a king, but over a fading, yet still fearsome, people.
all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Joshua's final charge from God to divide the remaining lands of Canaan amongst the tribes. It follows the initial division of land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The mention of Og's kingdom specifically recalls a significant conquest by Moses, emphasizing that much of the land already promised to Israel had been secured through earlier battles.
This verse mentions 'giants' and a king named Og. These aren't just random names, but point back to a dramatic clash that happened even before Abraham.
The mention of Og's kingdom and its people being descendants of the 'Rephaim' (often translated as giants) takes us back to Genesis 14. In that ancient account, Abraham, with only a small band of men, rescued Lot and recovered spoils from various kings, including Chedorlaomer. This victory involved defeating the Rephaim in various locations, including Ashteroth Karnaim, which is named here as a city where Og reigned.
This connection is significant for several reasons:
Moses struck down Og, but the text emphasizes that this 'kingdom' is now being divided. What does this tell us about the nature of God's victories?
Joshua 13:12 states, 'for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.' This is a crucial reminder that the conquest of Og's land wasn't a new battle for Joshua, but a historical victory secured by Moses.
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Here's what this means for us:
Understand the original words
repha'im · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the descendants of an ancient people group, often associated with giants or individuals of great stature, who inhabited parts of Transjordan and Canaan. Their presence often represented a challenge to Israel that was supernaturally or historically significant.
This verse reminds us that God's promises, though fulfilled by Moses' military victories, are part of a much larger, long-term plan that began with Abraham and continued through Joshua's generation.
c. 1400 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Established
God establishes His covenant with Abraham, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This sets the stage for Israel's future inheritance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are liberated from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership, beginning their 40-year journey in the wilderness.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Conquest of Sihon and Og
Moses leads the Israelites in defeating Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, in Transjordan. This victory opens the way for their inheritance east of the Jordan.
c. 1406 BC
Division of Land East of Jordan
Moses grants the conquered lands of Sihon and Og to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, establishing their inheritance before crossing the Jordan.
c. 1399 BC
Joshua Assumes Leadership
Following Moses' death, Joshua is commissioned by God to lead the Israelites in conquering and possessing the remaining land of Canaan west of the Jordan.
c. 1399 BC onwards
Division of Canaan West of Jordan
Joshua, now elderly, begins the process of dividing the land west of the Jordan River by lot among the remaining tribes, fulfilling God's promise.
This passage describes the same victory over King Og that is being referenced in Joshua, showing how God enabled Israel to defeat him and take possession of his vast kingdom in Bashan.
Deuteronomy 3:1-11This chapter recounts Moses' account of the conquest of Og's kingdom, detailing the land and its considerable extent, emphasizing God's power in giving them this territory.
Genesis 14:5This verse mentions the Rephaim (giants) in Ashteroth and other cities, showing that the land ruled by Og had a history connected to these ancient, formidable peoples.
Joshua 12:4This verse lists the same king, Og of Bashan, and his dominion, providing immediate context for the victory and the land that was a significant part of Israel's conquest.
calvinJoshua 13:1-14: "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
A Nilo qui est e regione AEgypti usque ad terminum Ecron, qui es…
gillJoshua 13:12: "All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out."
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei,.... See Gill on Joshua 12:4 , who remained of the remnant of the giants; was descended from those that remained in Ashtaroth, after the rest were cut off by Chedorlaomer, Genesis 14:5; called there the Rephaim, as here: for these did Moses smite, a…
While this verse mentions Og's kingdom being defeated, it subtly highlights that Og himself was "left of the remnant of the Rephaim" – implying he was one of the very last of this ancient, formidable race. This detail emphasizes the sheer scale of the victory, not just over a king, but over a fading, yet still fearsome, people.
This passage is part of Joshua's final charge from God to divide the remaining lands of Canaan amongst the tribes. It follows the initial division of land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The mention of Og's kingdom specifically recalls a significant conquest by Moses, emphasizing that much of the land already promised to Israel had been secured through earlier battles.
This passage is part of Joshua's final charge from God to divide the remaining lands of Canaan amongst the tribes. It follows the initial division of land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The mention of Og's kingdom specifically recalls a significant conquest by Moses, emphasizing that much of the land already promised to Israel had been secured through earlier battles.
"all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out." — While this verse mentions Og's kingdom being defeated, it subtly highlights that Og himself was "left of the remnant of the Rephaim" – implying he was one of the very last of this ancient, formidable…
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Last reviewed October 2026